I am so sick of vividly described torture in fantasy novels. Many such scenes are merely gratuitous. Unfortunately, when the story is one we wish to read, as in 'Inheritance', we are forced to endure through the detail as we want to enjoy the rest of the story. I understand its use as a device - the character must suffer to build empathy, to develop as a character, to explore their own capacities and flaws, and most importantly, to suffer in order to earn their reward at the climax of the novel.
Surely there are many other ways to achieve this? Torture, if absolutely necessary, can be off-scene. The character can experience challenge and suffering in many other ways; or evil characters can be portrayed as evil without the torture: See my review:
The Healer's Keep (Healer and Seer, #2)
by Victoria Hanley
Finally, I think books which include scenes of torture should have warnings on the cover. Remember readers and writers, books are fiction. There is far too much real torture and suffering out there for us to have to live through fictional experiences as well. Does portraying evils such as torture 'normalise' treating other people and creatures in this way, or does it help to raise the issue of the horror of torture? My view is that I already know about and abhor this type of behaviour. I don't want to experience it vicariously as well in fiction, the place I go to rest and escape.
Miss Possum
Pale but dynamic
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Sunday, 11 March 2012
The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning, #1)
The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning, #1)by John Stephens
Publisher: Doubleday (Random House) 2011
(4.5 Stars)
Wonderful enticing, gripping read. Great paradigms - 3 children in a succession of orphanages, a mysterious wizard/ mentor, and a dangerous quest whose outcome can effect the lives of a whole village. What could be better? The extra half star for the very funny secondary characters - the dwarves, and particularly loved the grumbling housekeeper, who labours under the misapprehension that the children believe they are French royalty - the string of jokes she conjours from this are hilarious. So much fantasy is so serious! Highly recommended. Posted in Goodreads 11 March 2012. http://www.goodreads.com
Friday, 9 March 2012
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare Walker Books 2011
5 Stars.
Name of Book: City of Fallen Angels.
Name of Book: City of Fallen Angels.
Author:
Cassandra Clare
Publisher:
Walker Books 2011
For
anyone who has adored the first three in Cassandra Clare’s dynamic paranormal ‘Mortal
Instruments’ series, the big question is, can she possibly do it again? The
answer is a resounding ‘yes!’
City of
Fallen Angels
contains all the ingredients of another electric Clare novel: dynamic and sassy
heroines; two male leads impossible not to fall in love with – nerdy, endearing
Simon and mysterious, dangerous and passionate Jace; genuinely scary paranormal
battles, page-turning action and great character dialogue sprinkled with amusing
popular culture references. Clare wields language and grammar with the masterly
precision of Isabelle Lightwood and her electric whip.
Simon’s
geeky nature struggles with his new powers as a vampire and babe magnet. Jace
and Clary’s complicated love story develops further, tested through wild
paranormal battles, self-doubt and self-discovery.
Danger
stalks through the novel, through strong, complex paranormal leads. Camille the
vampire queen; evil, desperate Sebastian and the chilling Silent Brothers make
us consider what really makes a monster?
The
novel may be stand alone or read in sequence. Violence is cartoonish (think
x-men) rather than graphic or gratuitous, and limited sexual scenes make the
novel suitable for adults, young adults and younger teenage readers with
parental guidance. Highly recommended.
This review was originally published by Maryanne Ross (me) in The Ballarat Courier on September 29, 2011. http://www.thecourier.com.au/ and has been posted on Goodreads 10 March 2012. http://www.goodreads.com
Cargo by Jessica Au, Pan McMillan Australia 2011
3.5 Stars
Name of Book: Cargo.
Name of Book: Cargo.
Author:
Jessica Au
Publisher:
Pan McMillan Australia
Jessica
Au’s first novel is a literary Puberty Blues – a seaside coming of age story. Cargo depicts three teenagers located in
one summer on a fictional beach, whose stories touch each other but never quite
weave. Frankie, Gillian and Jacob each have problems: Frankie with her ill,
pregnant mother and uncertain friendships, Gillian the one-legged swimmer with her
paean to life and the sea, and Jacob fighting his brother’s shadow to find
selfhood.
Like
much literary fiction, the plot is limited and the characters are profound and
sombre rather than quirky or exuberant. However, Au’s clear writing welcomes
the reader in, and we engage with Frankie, Gillian and Jacob in their
explorations of trying to grow into themselves and recognise their own
adulthood. Cargo is accessible
literary fiction.
Whether
you are pleased or disappointed, this young adult novel contains no vampires,
paranormals or explosive action scenes, and the real magic is in Au’s evocative
descriptions of the changing moods of the ocean, an iconic setting for
Australian coming of age stories.
The
publisher’s blurb describes this book as ‘by turns heart-wrenching, beautiful
and explosive,’ and many readers will agree.
Recommended
for young adults, particularly those interested in literary fiction.
Note: This review was published by Maryanne Ross (me) in The Ballarat Courier February 2, 2012.http://www.thecourier.com.au
Also posted on Goodreads www.goodreads.com
Thursday, 8 March 2012
The Tunnels of Tarcoola
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2012.
  |
This book is touted by the publisher as an Enid Blyton-style read, and at first I thought, yes that's true - sexist, traditional, formulaic and slightly stilted. The old-fashioned teenagers' names and lack of apparent technology added to this impression, as did the excessive sighing, gasping, breathing, imploring and grumbling rather than just saying. However, once the plot picked up pace and layers, and the colorful secondary characters began to add depth, the story became quite riveting. The sense of the present immersed in the past was compelling; possibly the author has a better feel for history than for young adults. Certainly, the personal histories and portrayals of the older adults in the story are refreshingly interesting. Ultimately, the story wrapped up with a very satisfying, all-plots-tied up, feel-good ending. Worth a look. Also published on GoodReads 10 March 2012. http://www.goodreads.com
Review: Princess Ben By Catherine Gilbert Murdock
5 Stars.
Princess Ben By Catherine Gilbert Murdock Pan McMillan Australia 2008.
YA fairytale retelling
I loved this book. I loved the language - a YA book with
complex sentences, words of more than one or two syllables, and rhythmic
phrasing - finally, a brave publisher that supports a different kind of writing
to the usual conventional wisdom of simple, clear sentences and a modest
vocabulary! I loved the sly humour - one of the most consistently funny books I
have read in a while. The inversion of the typical fairy tale has been done
before, of course, but this is really clever. More books, please Catherine
Gilbert Murdock!
Friday, 2 March 2012
First Person Point of View (POV)
Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn is a YA fantasy/sci fi. The book is completely gripping, a page-turning adventure of not-fitting-in, full of danger, not knowing who to trust, and split-second, life-threatening choices.
This is a fine example of how first person narration gives immediacy, emotion and propels the narrative at break-neck speed. It creates empathy for the protagonist - we feel her agonising decisions every step of the way. Through First Person we engage fully in the sensory detail, whether horrific, frightening or romantic.
The book only just misses out on the full 5 stars only because the penultimate climax resolution - an important story stage - is just not likely - I think they would just shoot her dead without all the palaver. It was too easy. The second book is due soon, so I can spend another rainy Saturday glued to an amazing story. (Does anyone else feel guilty about all those hours spend reading, when we could be doing things we should be doing?)
This is a fine example of how first person narration gives immediacy, emotion and propels the narrative at break-neck speed. It creates empathy for the protagonist - we feel her agonising decisions every step of the way. Through First Person we engage fully in the sensory detail, whether horrific, frightening or romantic.
The book only just misses out on the full 5 stars only because the penultimate climax resolution - an important story stage - is just not likely - I think they would just shoot her dead without all the palaver. It was too easy. The second book is due soon, so I can spend another rainy Saturday glued to an amazing story. (Does anyone else feel guilty about all those hours spend reading, when we could be doing things we should be doing?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)